Where's the convict in my convict?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
how big are your fish? i had 2 convicts and 2 firemouths in a 29g...when i first got them they were all around the 1 1/2" mark...1 of the FM's was pretty aggressive, always chasing the other 3...after about a month when the convicts had a little more size (but still were smaller then the FM's) they started ruling the tank...maybe yours just needs to grow a bit
 
lmacklin81;3206719; said:
If you get another convict, you are more than likely going to have the two teaming up to beat the hell out of the firemouth, especially if you wind up with a male and a female. A 20 gal is not much room for fish with grumpy dispositions. They need to have lots of territories and in such a small tank, they don't have the opportunity to hide from one another. I agree with lilfats2, though, cichlids are best in odd numbers or schools (depending on the species). And as far as tiger barbs go, they would be good dither fish (meaning they are intended to get beat down) as long as they are big enough at the start. Too small and they might serve as a snack for your other fish.
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lmacklin81;3206721; said:
Oh and to sex convicts, the females have pink or a pinkish irridescence on their bellies. Males lack this coloration.
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I appreciate your input. I have enough hiding spots, but I meant I was going to trade the male for a female. I wasn't clear on that it was my fault. I know how to sex convict ;)
I was considering tiger barbs as a dither, but I'm not sure yet.

electropunk;3206732; said:
how big are your fish? i had 2 convicts and 2 firemouths in a 29g...when i first got them they were all around the 1 1/2" mark...1 of the FM's was pretty aggressive, always chasing the other 3...after about a month when the convicts had a little more size (but still were smaller then the FM's) they started ruling the tank...maybe yours just needs to grow a bit
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They're both the same size around 3-4". The convict has most of the black flushed out today.
 
It seems I just traded one problem for another. The FM chases the female convict, but definitely not as much and she doesn't hide like the male does. She's also faster than the FM so that's good as well.
 
Sounds to me like you need to breed that FM and distribute the fry... he sounds like a real bruiser!
 
:D I'm unsure of it's sex. I might. If I do breed it with another FM how long would I keep the fry with the parents? I've only ever had one pair fish lay eggs and they only did it once. All the babies were ate when they were wigglers.
 
If your firemouth has been in the tank for a while, it has claimed the entire tank as it's territory, and any fish you add later comes in at a distinct disadvantage, whether it's a convict or any other cichlid. You could reduce the dominence factor by rearranging the tank decor, this sometimes works. Schooling fish like barbs, or any non cichlid or similar appearance type fish will not be considered competition.
 
duanes;3210018; said:
If your firemouth has been in the tank for a while, it has claimed the entire tank as it's territory, and any fish you add later comes in at a distinct disadvantage, whether it's a convict or any other cichlid. You could reduce the dominence factor by rearranging the tank decor, this sometimes works. Schooling fish like barbs, or any non cichlid or similar appearance type fish will not be considered competition.
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All the fish were added at the same time. I was considering rearranging things and also getting tiger barbs.
 
well remember that convicts are like ppl wen you get them a mate you have to make sure that the male an female like each other. i went threw 2 females before i found a match.
 
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